SULFUR-DIOXIDE EXPOSURE IN A SMELTER .3. ACUTE EFFECTS AND SPUTUM CYTOLOGY

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 21  (5) , 359-364
Abstract
Although acute effects from exposure to SO2 are frequently observed at low levels in acute exposure experimental studies, it was not known whether or not such effects occur among workers chronically exposed at ranges of 0.3-4 ppm of SO2. Measurements of FVC [forced vital capacity], FEV1 [forced expiratory volume in 1 s], FEF50, FEF75 and FEF50-75 [forced expiratory flow, 50% or 75%], and closing volume were made before and after the workshift for Cu smelter workers and controls. Sputum samples for cytological examination were collected. Mean FEV1 and FVC significantly decreased during a day''s work in the smelter. Significantly more smelter workers had a decrease in FEV1 and FEF50 during the day than did controls. More of the smelter workers felt chest tightness. No change in closing volumes was seen. Smelter workers tended to have a higher percentage of sputum samples with moderate and marked atypia then did controls but the difference was not statistically significant.

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